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Calvinism Predestination

by Henry Bechthold  
1/25/2011 / Bible Studies

Calvinism's predestination doctrine teaches that God predestines individuals for heaven or hell through an "unconditional election" process. Some have the good fortune of being created with a one-way ticket to heaven, but most have the bad fortune of being created with a one-way ticket to hell, because Jesus said that "many" are going to hell, whereas only "few" are going to heaven (Matthew 7:13-14). Calvinists' "unconditional election" doctrine also asserts that human beings do not have "free will"; that is, they have no "freedom of choice". Thankfully, Calvinism's unconditional election teaching is contradicted by numerous scriptures. The following texts, as well as dozens of others that could be listed, clearly reveal that people do indeed have a "free will" to choose to accept and obey God's invitations and commands, or to reject and disobey them.

The prophet Joel stated that multitudes are in the "valley of decision" (Joel 3:14). And, the book of Acts says that the people on the island of Malta "changed their minds" (Acts 28:6). If we do not have a "free will" with the power to choose, how did these people change their minds; furthermore, how can multitudes be in the valley of decision if they have no "free will" to choose or decide with?

The deacon Stephen accused the religious leaders of his day, and their ancestors, of always "resisting" the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51). If they were rebuked for resisting the Holy Spirit, they obviously had the power of choice to do so. Therefore, it is apparent that we all have the "free will" to resist the "drawing" of God's Spirit, which simultaneously refutes another false Calvinistic teaching regarding "irresistible grace". Furthermore, Luke states that the Pharisees and lawyers had rejected the will of God for themselves because they had not been baptized by John the Baptist (Luke 7:30). Once again, the Scriptures clearly state that people have the freedom of choice and ability to reject or resist God's will for them.

The Lord Jesus Christ told the Jews of His day that He had wanted to gather them to Him as a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but they "were not willing" (Matthew 23:37). According to Jesus Himself, the Jews resisted His efforts to draw them; they obviously had "free will", and chose not to come to Him.

Calvinism also teaches that Jesus Christ has only provided a "limited atonement", because, according to Calvinists, He did not die for everyone, but only for those whom He had predestined for heaven. This contradicts numerous scriptures.

Jesus Christ said that He would draw "all people" to Himself, and He stated that "whoever" believed in Him would have eternal life (John 12:32; John 3:16). Jesus declared that He had come to seek and to save the "lost", period, not just "some" of the lost (Matthew 18:11; Luke 19:10). The Apostle John declared that Jesus offered Himself for the sins of the "whole world", and is Savior of the "world" (1st John 2:2; 1st John 4:14).

The Apostle Paul clearly states that God wants "all" to be saved, and that Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for "all" (1st Timothy 2:3-6). Likewise, the Apostle Peter said that God wants "all" to come to repentance, because He is not willing for "any" to perish (2nd Peter 3:9). In Matthew 18:14, Jesus set a little child before His disciples and stated that it is not God's will that even "one" of these little ones should perish. And, Hebrews 2:9 tells us that Jesus tasted death for "everyone".

The Apostle Paul admonishes Christians not to put a stumbling block in front of a weak "brother" causing him to violate his conscience and to "perish" or be "destroyed"; moreover, Paul states that Christ has also died for that weak brother who is caused to "perish" or be "destroyed" (1st Corinthians 8:9-11; Romans 14:13-15). These two passages clearly and unequivocally state that Christ has "also died" for people who violate their conscience and who are "destroyed".

Calvinism also maligns the character of our gracious and loving God by portraying Him as someone who is biased and who practices "favoritism", because He arbitrarily chooses "favorites" to be saved, while allowing everyone else to go to hell. This clearly contradicts numerous Bible texts, and also results in Calvinists portraying their God as being a hypocrite and a liar. Why? The Bible repeatedly states that God is not a "respecter of persons" and does not practice "partiality or favoritism" (Deuteronomy 10:17; 2nd Chronicles 19:7; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9). Scripture also declares that God's wisdom comes from above and is "without partiality" (James 3:17). Therefore, if Calvinists' teaching is correct, that God does favor only "certain individuals" to be saved from hell, then God would have lied in all of these passages where He stated that He does not practice "favoritism or partiality". Calvinists are portraying God as being a liar. And, they also depict Him as being a hypocrite. Why? The Bible instructs us that we (God's people) must not practice "partiality or favoritism"; moreover, that it is not good for us to show "respect of persons, partiality or favoritism"; furthermore, that such conduct is sin (1st Timothy 5:21; Proverbs 28:21; James 2:9). Therefore, when Calvinists state that God only saves certain "favored individuals" from hell, while He simultaneously tells us that we must not practice such favoritism ourselves, because it is not good to do so and it is sinful; then, Calvinists are certainly depicting their god as being a hypocrite! The Calvinist god says, "Do as I say, not as I do". The God of Christianity is not a liar or a hypocrite!

For a more thorough study of this doctrine that presents the scriptures on both sides of this issue, and which lists dozens of Bible texts that clearly and totally refute Calvinism beyond question, read my article titled, Calvinism, at my website address listed below.

I am an evangelical, non-denominational, Christian pastor. You can research other interesting and provocative topics at my website: http://www.godormen.com.

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